BeastCompare

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro

iPhone 18 Pro
89/ 100
Launch price$1,299
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch price$1,499
Head-to-head

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins 4 of 9 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro
1 win
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
4 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraVideoSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 18 ProiPhone 18 Pro Max
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 18 Pro Max
    95
    96
  • CameraiPhone 18 Pro Max
    92
    94
  • VideoTie
    95
    95
  • SelfieTie
    88
    88
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    80
    94
  • DisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max
    92
    95
  • ConnectivityTie
    100
    100
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 18 Pro
    62
    58
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 4,288 mAh
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen6.9" vs 6.3"
  • iPhone 18 Pro is lighter211 g vs 249 g
  • iPhone 18 Pro launched cheaper$1,299 vs $1,499
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro
  • ✓38 g lighter (211 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$200 cheaper at launch ($1,299 vs $1,499)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+1,279 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 18 ProiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby VisionLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.3"6.9"
Resolution & Density1206 x 2622 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On displayCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)Hexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (7-core graphics)Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemiOS 27iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12GB LPDDR5X12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedNVMe fast flashNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video
Main Camera Video
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)18 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Lightest Chassis
Dimensions150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm (5.91 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass backGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM supportNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity4,288 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging45W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)Yes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
BluetoothBluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LEBluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video outUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satelliteEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsBlack, Silver, Glacier, BurgundyBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$1,299$1,499
Our verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 92.8/100

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,288 mAh) and bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.3"). The iPhone 18 Pro is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (211 g vs 249 g).

Buy iPhone 18 Pro if you want

Lighter: 211 g vs 249 g (38 g less) · Lower launch price: $1,299 vs $1,499

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 4,288 mAh · Larger display: 6.9" vs 6.3"

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,288 mAh) and bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.3"). The iPhone 18 Pro is worth a look if you prefer its lighter body (211 g vs 249 g). BeastScore: iPhone 18 Pro 88.5/100, iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch display and 4288 mAh battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max compare for speed?

iPhone 18 Pro scores 95/100 for performance; iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100.

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Gear for the iPhone 18 Pro Max

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